What do you expect when visiting Scotland?(2)

[ForresterModern]

I am late to this thread due to less frequent visits to X of late due to some personal health issues. Laid up now with a cast on my foot and ankle which is just the latest in a line off issues that have made me "kilt-scarce" this year.
Jock you know that, from our phone conversation 5 years ago, the highlight of my next trip to Scotland will undoubtedly (hopefully) be sitting in a comfortable chair enjoying some special company and a fine single malt or two with you my friend, and the "chin-wag" you describe so elegantly (we would call that "chewing the fat").
After two separate trips previously, much of which was rather tightly scheduled and predominantly in the Edinburgh-Glasgow-lowlands and southeastern parts of the central highlands, I would like to spend more time on a free-spirited less scheduled roam of the central and upper highlands and islands, sans golf clubs this time but definitely toting camera gear and wearing the kilt as per my habit when "in country". And in respect for your wishes I will leave the flat caps at home and wear proper bonnets, or perhaps a fedora at times. Although I have taken in the Aberlour distillery tour (highly recommended) I think I might see the nearby cooperage, (where all the US bourbon barrels become scotch whisky barrels), perhaps take in the Glenmorangie distillery and one on Islay, maybe Bruichladdich (one of my Islay favorites.) Our first trip we freelanced from a base at the Castle hotel west of Aberdeen in Huntly, a wonderful experience. After leaving I found out that Jordan (I believe) is/was a native there and I missed getting to see and spend time with him seeing the Huntly underworld. From there i would wander the central highlands, to Tomintoul for the Whisky Castle to stock up on some rare bottlings after some nice tastings. Venturing north through the valley Spey to or past the famous list of well known distilleries to Glenmorangie, and then the north central coast, Culloden, Inverness-shire, The Black Isle, then on into the northern highlands, to me the great unknown with high expectations of some spectacular scenery to eat up large numbers of electrons in my digital cameras memory cards. Back down the great rift, Loch Ness and Glencoe and the western coast north of Glasgow. A day or two trip to islay and the islands, maybe even Skye and the homes of the tweeds (never enough time---a trip unto itself) if time permits. Then back across the central area to see Stirling (and visit my laird "land" plots north and west of there--gifts from my son and wife) and the stirling castle and battlefield. My family at one time held another castle in the nearby area if I can find it, and Torwood castle remains (another family castle). Hopefully time to get further south to Berwick on Tweed and then down to Bambrough castle, another former family seat. I have already visited the major family castle site in Corstorphine, now completely demolished and rebuilt as just another inner suburb of Edinburgh you drive through on the way to and from Edinburgh airport. I would revisit the only remaining part of the original castle, the dovecoat (doucote) tucked away on a back street nearby the main square.
On our first trip we spent a week in Edinburgh attending a major international medical conference at which I was presenting a lecture, in traditional highland dress, less than 5 miles from the seat of my families power of centuries ago. Our trip was cut short so we only had a few days to drive a hire car up to Strathmore for the Strathmore games, then to St Andrews, then up a beautiful coastal road to Aberdeenshire, then on to the Castle Hotel and central highlands. We stopped at numerous castles and castle remains, small and medium size towns, and charming craft shops and stores run by weavers and the like. Small town stores and restaurants sold comforting hearty meals that tasted even better because of the environs they were enjoyed in. On our last day had we not been forced off the narrow two lane road by a meandering oncoming lorrie, suffering one completely flattened tire and another so severely damaged that the car was essentially undriveable, we would have seen some of the other sites we aspired to. But instead we saw only a brief bit of a hotel in Inverness for a rental car exchange, followed by a midnite drive from there back to western Edinburgh, missing many of the sites we had planned on enjoying that day, so as to catch our flight home early the next morning. Still and all a magical trip, better described elsewhere in these pages in a different thread.
My second trip was a glorious golf based tip with one friend and two strangers who grew to become great friends quickly. Starting in Glasgow where I was heartily greeted by our own Alex who showed me around town for a day and a fine traditional pub evening meal and a pint. Golf was the theme for the remaining days, playing and staying at Turnberry, Royal "Buffoon" (a long story for another day), Muirfield, Carnoustie, St Andrews New and Old Courses, The Dukes, and Kingsbarns courses. Spent some free time at Turnberry playing a small pitch and putt course in front of the resort, Spent some time in Ayr walking the coastal park and wetting my toes in the Firth of Clyde. The last of the week was spent in and around St Andrews which is a most wonderful town for sauntering (as learned from Henry David Thoreau) to see the inumerable and ever interesting sites. Got my fill of fine single malt this trip as all four of us were over adventurous in trying every and any single malts we could find in the local haunts or hotel bars, even finishing off three full bottles purchased at retail (quite inexpensive I might add) via flasks tuck conveniently into the golf bags for easy access.
But, as during each of the two prior trips, I will still be wearing the kilt daily with rare exceptions, worn with pride, comfort and confidence even knowing that I will be marked as a tourist, asked for directions by complete strangers, stopped to have photos taken with asian tourists, asked where my bagpipes are---in the bigger towns of course. But also recognised for wearing a proper quality kilt in proper fashion, respectlully and with historical style when out of the major urban areas. In these locales compliments were either a silent nod of acknowledgement and respect, or quietly spoken, or sent in the way of a small dram of fine whisky and a raised glass from across the restaurant or pub.
Never fear Jock, old friend, we shall meet for that drink, and hopefully not too long in the offing.